Dust containment apparatus

Abstract

A dust containment apparatus includes a housing that includes an opening and defines an internal volume. A housing seal is provided along an edge of the opening for sealing the housing against a work surface to be engaged with the housing. At least two hand ports are provided in the housing for receiving a user's hands. At least one of the hand ports includes a deformable hand port seal for at least partially sealing against the user's arm or hand when inserted through the hand port into the internal volume. The deformable hand port seal includes an aperture formed therein for allowing the user's hand to access the internal volume.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A dust containment apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising an opening and defining an internal volume;   a housing seal provided along an edge of the opening for sealing the housing against a work surface to be engaged with the housing; and   at least two hand ports provided in the housing for receiving a user's hands, wherein at least one of the hand ports comprises a deformable hand port seal for at least partially sealing against the user's arm or hand when inserted through the hand port into the internal volume, and wherein the deformable hand port seal comprises an aperture formed therein for allowing the user's hand to access the internal volume.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a vacuum port for connecting to a vacuum device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a vacuum conduit for connecting to the vacuum port within the internal volume. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a vacuum device for connecting to the vacuum port. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor for reading a pressure within the internal volume. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing seal comprises a flange extending from the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an arm for supporting the housing in engagement with a work surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the housing is removably attached to the arm. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the arm is articulated. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the arm is supported by a movable platform for positioning the housing in engagement with a work surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises multiple slits formed within the deformable hand port seal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hand ports are removable from the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive for assisting the housing seal to seal against a work surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive comprises tape. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum limiter for limiting a differential pressure between the internal volume and an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing seal comprises a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing work on a work surface, comprising:
 providing a dust containment apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising an opening and defining an internal volume, wherein the housing further comprises a vacuum port for connecting to a vacuum device; 
 a housing seal provided along an edge of the opening for sealing the housing against a work surface to be engaged with the housing; and 
 at least two hand ports provided in the housing for receiving a user's hands, wherein at least one of the hand ports comprises a deformable hand port seal for at least partially sealing against the user's arm or hand when inserted through the hand port into the internal volume, and wherein the deformable hand port seal comprises an aperture formed therein for allowing the user's hand to access the internal volume; 
   engaging the opening with a work surface such that the housing seal seals against the work surface;   inserting one or more tools through the hand ports and into the internal volume;   performing work on the work surface using the one or more tools; and   vacuuming dust generated from the work by using a vacuum conduit coupled to the vacuum port within the internal volume.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the vacuuming is performed simultaneously to the work. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, prior to performing the work, generating a vacuum within the internal volume by using a vacuum device coupled to the vacuum port. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising applying an adhesive to the housing seal to assist the seal between the housing seal and the work surface.